The same gene that causes various coat patterns in wild and domesticated cats also causes a cross-eyed condition in these cats,
the cross-eyed condition being slightly maladaptive. In a hypothetical environment, the coat pattern that is associated with crossed eyes is highly adaptive, with the result that both the coat pattern and the cross-eyed condition increase in a feline population over time. Which statement is supported by these observations? a. Evolution is progressive and tends toward a more perfect population.
b. Phenotype is often the result of compromise.
c. Natural selection reduces the frequency of maladaptive genes in populations over the course of time.
d. Polygenic inheritance is generally maladaptive, and should become less common in future generations.
e. In all environments, the coat pattern is a more important survival factor than is the eye-muscle tone.
The correct answer is option b. "Phenotype is often the result of compromise".
Explanation:
The fact that the same gene controls both the coat pattern and the cross-eyed condition in cats, but only the cross-eyed condition being slightly maladaptive, suggest that phenotype is often the result of compromise. Phenotype is the result of both, the genotype and the environment. Selective pressures made by environmental conditions can cause the cross-eyed condition being maladaptive in cats.
The given example in the question of the wild cat's coat patterns and the cross eyed condition are caused by the same gene. The cross eyed condition is a disadvantage for the wild cats because it affects their vision and therefore their ability to hunt and feed. But it also causes the coat pattern that leads to the increase of feline population over time. This is a result of a compromise between the two traits for their affects on the population. We can say that phenotype is often the result of compromise because not all traits support the same result.
